Dry tailgating spots will be available to Appalachian State University students this fall during home football games.
The first two rows of parking spots, approximately 23 spaces in the Raley Hall parking lot, will be considered alcohol-free, said David Gordon, Student Government Association treasurer.
The two rows have been nicknamed, the “Appily Sober Zone,” Gordon said.
SGA Chief of Staff Adam Ezell said that the dry tailgating spots will be issued first-come-first-serve through Appalachian’s tailgating lottery.
Appalachian has 276 total tailgating parking spots for home football games available via the lottery, Ezell said.
Students that choose a dry tailgating spot have to sign a waiver that holds them accountable for following the rules, Gordon said.
Police are aware of the dry tailgating area and administration will be walking through the area as well to insure that it is remains alcohol-free.
“The waiver holds students accountable for themselves as well as those around them,” Gordon said. “We hope the students that are a part of the dry tailgating zone will have responsibility to keep it alcohol-free.”
Students that disobey the rules for the dry tailgating zone could face potential consequences that include a ban from applying for any football tailgating spots in the future, Ezell said.
The idea for the dry tailgating spots first came about at an alcohol summit March 1 held between students, university and community members, Gordon said.
“Our student-body president, Dylan Russell, decided it would represent our school well to have a location strictly without any alcohol,” he said.
Ezell said that having an alcohol-free zone gives students the opportunity to enjoy tailgating without the need to drink.
“We want to provide a safe and friendly culture for students that want to tailgate without alcohol,” Ezell said.
“A huge focus of Appalachian is safety,” Gordon said. “Students should be able to tailgate without the pressure of feeling that they have to drink. The dry tailgating spots will provide that opportunity.”
Story: GERRIT VAN GENDEREN, Intern News Reporter